Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 5, 2015

11

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, December 5, 2015 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW MUCH YOU’LL PAY FOR MEDICARE IN 2016


Dear Savvy Senior:

I know there won’t be a cost-of-living increase in 
Social Security benefits next year but what about 
Medicare? I’ve heard some beneficiaries will get 
hit with a big Part B monthly premium increase in 
2016. What can you tell me, and who will this affect? 

Planning Ahead

Dear Planning:

All things considered, the news regarding your 
Medicare costs next year is pretty good. For about 
70 percent of the nation’s 52 million Medicare 
beneficiaries, there will be no Part B premium 
increase in 2016. And thanks to the 2015 Bipartisan 
Budget Act that was signed into law by President 
Obama on Nov. 2, the other 30 percent will pay 
much less than previously projected. Here’s what 
you can expect.

Part B Premiums

Because the Social Security Administration will 
not be giving out a cost of living increase (or COLA) 
in 2016, the Medicare Part B premiums for most 
current beneficiaries will not go up either. Thanks 
to the “hold harmless” provision in the Medicare 
law, which prohibits Part B premiums from rising 
in any year that there’s no COLA, the 2016 monthly 
premium will remain at $104.90 for most current 
Medicare participants. 

 However, this provision does not protect new 
Medicare enrollees (those who enroll in 2016), 
beneficiaries who are directly billed for their 
Part B premium, or current beneficiaries who 
have deferred claiming their Social Security. This 
includes people 65 or older who are still working 
but have signed up for Medicare because their 
employer doesn’t offer health insurance. It also 
hits people who have filed and suspended Social 
Security benefits to allow a spouse to claim. 

 If you fit into any of these categories, your 
Medicare Part B premium will increase to $121.80 
a month in 2016 – which is much lower than the 
$159.30 that it would have been, had the budget 
deal fell through.

 The hold-harmless rule also does not protect 
high-income Medicare beneficiaries who already 
pay higher Part B premiums because their annual 
incomes are above $85,000 for an individual or 
$170,000 for a couple. If you fit into this category, 
here’s what you’ll pay for your Part B premium 
next year, based on your 2014 tax returns. 

 Individuals with incomes of $85,000 to $107,000, 
or married couples filing joint tax returns with 
incomes of $170,000 to $214,000, will pay $170.50 
per month. 

 Individuals earning $107,000 to $160,000 
(couples $214,000 to $320,000) will pay $243.60. 

 Individuals with incomes of $160,000 to $214,000 
(couples $320,000 to $428,000) will pay $316.70. 

Individuals over $214,000 or couples above 
$428,000 will pay $389.80. 

 Another increase high-income beneficiaries 
(those with incomes over $85,000, or $170,000 for 
joint filers) need to be aware of is the surcharge 
on Part D premiums. Affluent seniors that have a 
Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will pay an 
additional $12.70 to $72.90 per month, depending 
on their income, on top of their regular Part D 
premiums. 

Deductibles and Co-Pays

Other changes you need to know about that will 
affect all Medicare beneficiaries include the Part 
B deductible, which will increase to $166 in 2016 
(it’s currently $147); and the Part A (hospital 
insurance) annual deductible which will go up to 
$1,288 (it’s currently $1,260) for hospital stays up to 
60 days. That increases to $322 per day for days 61-
90, and to $644 a day for days 91 and beyond. And 
the skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21-
100 will also increase to $161 per day (it’s currently 
$157.50). 

 For more information on all the Medicare costs 
for 2016 visit Medicare.gov and click on “Your 
Medicare Costs” tab at the top of the page, or call 
800-633-4227.

 Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. 
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
iller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and 
author of “The Savvy Senior” book.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …December Birthdays*

Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, 
Mignon Grijalva, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, Toni Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Pat 
McGuire, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth Levie, 
Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran, and Melissa Stute. 

*To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birthnot required

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ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at theHart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 Activities at the Senior Center

 YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Intervale Senior Cafe 

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA Intervale daily lunch program held 
at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Meals are served Monday through Friday at 12:00 pm 
and participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 am. Meals are a suggested donation of $3.00 
for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are necessary, space is 
limited. Please reserve your lunch by calling 626-355-0256.

Tech Talk: Held on Monday, October 19th and 26th from 1:30-2:30pm. Learn how to use your new 
technology devises. Please reserve your space with the Hart Park House by calling 626-355-7394. 



Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am. Join 
instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula. 



Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be canceled if less than 5 people. 



Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. No appt. is 
necessary. 



Brain Games: Thursday, October 15th, 10:30am - 11:30am, improve your memory and strengthen 
your brain. Activities facilitated by Swati Puri, Community Liaison for New Wave Home care of 
Pasadena. 



Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, October 21st from 10:30am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointment are required by calling 626-355-7394. 



Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am. A suggested donation of $5 at one 
of the classes is requested, but is not required. 



Case Management: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. Case Management services are 
provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required 
and can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394. 



Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House. The free 
birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 



Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00pm. (Please note the time change.) A regular group of 
seniors play poker. Other games available for use. 



Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45pm to 1:30pm with Lisa Brandley. The class 
utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are provided. 



Senior Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. 
Club meeting at noon. Bingo 12:30-3:30pm. Annual Membership is only $10.00. 

CANDLELIGHT PAVILION (CLAREMONT) 

 HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015 

TIME: 10:30AM - 4:00PM 

MEETING LOCATION: HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER 

COST: $75.00 (LUNCH IS INCLUDED) 



Description: Ben D. Bollinger’s Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre in Claremont provides 
patrons with a dinner theatre and musicals for a theatrical experience the caliber of the 
Broadway shows in downtown LA. The gourmet food prepared by the executive chef and served 
by his formal wait staff ranks the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre as a fine food restaurant 
that rivals any fine dining establishment in Los Angeles and San Bernardino. For 30 years, the 
Candlelight Pavilion has written and produced each of its Christmas shows with a focus on 
the spirit of Christmas and bringing family and friends together. Appropriate dress requested: 
Jackets for gentleman, tie optional, dress or dressy pant suits for ladies, no jeans, t-shirts or 
tennis shoes. Price includes lunch, show and gratuity. Level of Walking: Low. Last day to register 
is November 2nd. Please call the Hart Park House at (626)-355-7394. 

Excursion Refund Policy 

Notification of the cancellation must be made at least 3 business days before the excursion. A refund 
will only be issued 1) for a medical excuse or 2) if the Department is able to fill the patrons spot 
from a waiting list. This refund will be issued in the form of a credit which will be applied to the 
patron’s account with the City, less a $11 cancellation fee. The credit will remain on your account for 
one year from the date issued and the credit may be used for any program or service offered by the 
Community Services Dept. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:

LUNCH AND HOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale 
daily lunch program held at the Hart Park House. Meals are served Monday through Friday 
at 12:00pm (participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45am). Meals are suggested donation 
of $3.00 for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Reservations for lunch must be 
made at least 24 hours in advance by calling 626-355-0256. The Meals-On-Wheels program 
offers hot meals to homebound seniors within the community. Meals are delivered at the 
door, Monday through Friday. For more information on this program, contact the YWCA San 
Gabriel Valley Intervale program at 626-214-9467.

LIFESAVERS PARAMEDIC SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM

The Sierra Madre Lifesavers Paramedic Subscription Program is an official program offered by 
the City of Sierra Madre which offsets the cost of emergency medical responses. The membership 
program is available to residents of Sierra Madre. Your subscription to the program will perform 
similar to a secondary insurance plan, with no out-of-pocket cost to you. Subscriptions are 
$60.00 per individual (July 1 – June 30). For additional information contact The Sierra Madre Fire 
Department 626-355-3611. 

626-355-5700245 West Sierra Madre BlvdSierra Madre, CA 91024www.TheKensingtonSierraMadre.comRCFE License198601953At first, Dad and I didn’tsee eye to eye about moving toThe Kensington, but sincehe did, we’re both thrilledLimited Senior Living Suites Still AvailableCall or Visit to Reserve Yours Today
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com